Former Laney High teacher cuts deal with prosecutors

A band teacher who admitted to having sex with a student will not serve a day in jail, will not have to register as a sex offender, but will never teach again.

Richard Priode once taught at Laney High School. Wednesday, he cut a deal with prosecutors in Mecklenburg County. Prosecutors maintained Priode started a sexual relationship with one of his band students at South Mecklenburg in March of 2008.

The relationship continued after she graduated, until she told a college roommate, then a counselor, and finally, police.

Because the girl in this case was over 16 years old, the only charge prosecutors could go with was taking indecent liberties with a student, a Class I felony.